What is the momentum of two vehicles as they move off together after the collision?

Question

A vehicle with a momentum of 6000 kg*m/s strikes a stationary vehicle. What is the momentum of two vehicles as they move off together after the collision? using physics terms please.

Answer 1

Chantelle,

 

This scenario is a demonstration of the principle of Conservation of Momentum.

The sum of the momentums before the collision must equal the sum of the momentums

after the collision. Momentum = Mass * Velocity.  Prior to the collision, we know that

vehicle one has a momentum of 6000 (given), while vehicle two has a momentum of 0,

because its velocity is given as 0.

 

You have described an inelastic collision, meaning that post-collision, the vehicles are stuck together.

So the mass in motion is now higher, and the velocity is now lower, but the momentum

remains at 6000. No change.

 

Answer 2

The total momentum must be conserved, so in this case the momentum of the two vehicles after the crash is the same as before, assuming no losses. So the momentum of the two vehicles after the collision should be 6000 kg m/s.